The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-07-02

On the 18TH OF OCTOBER loVA, MlAse0
Thomas Moloney. corporal CO.. X. sth'
Michigan Volunteers, Jackson, Mich.,) |
our regiment together with the 18th
N. Y. Highlanders). embarked ut
Annapolis. Md. on the huge ocean
steamer Vanderbilt. and wentto Fortress
Monroe. We remained anchored at
the mouth of Hampton Roads about
10 days, and ten tiresome days they
were. To be shut up in a camp TO
that period in the bloom Of our enthu
siasm would have been considered
downright insult 10 us who had
FASTENED on TO Washington In defense
the flag; but 10 be cooped up on the
hurricane deck OF ship at anchor--it
was too much.
The 10Th was quartcred in the for
ward part Of the boat, and am sorry
20 say that at that time a certain cold
ness existed between the two regiments;
which was but natural. for the High
landers had been tried and found not
wanting ut first Bull Run, while we
were only green recruits from Michigan.
How we envied them how we longed TO
prove TO them that we only wanted an
opportunity in order TO make record
for ourselves.
AT last the long-wished for day ar
rived. whenthe flagship Wabash sent
her pennant to the masthead rs sig
nal for departure. The Vanderbilt
being the largest and fastest steamer OF
the fleet took in tow the four-masted
sailing vessel Great Republic. which
was1oaded principally with horses and
forage for the expedition.
The first three days we had as love
N sailing rs one could wish for The
sea had the appearance of a huge mir
ror, except an occasional disturbance
caused by school of flying fish or the
putting and plunging of lazy porpoises
The feet consisted of about 90 vessel
Of all craft, and kept well together un
III the afternoon of the 3ist, when tn
sky began TO darken, and occasiona
gusts of wind gave warning of an ap
preaching storm.
Up TO this time we had kept the Grea
Republic In tow by means of two fou
inch hawsers, but the lurching OF IN
two monster ships became so grea
that for the safety OF both IT wa
deemed best 10. cut the cables and il
the sailing vessel take care of herself
AS soon rs this was. accomplished ia
Vanderbilt changed her course SET
ward, in order, II was said TO keep clea
of rocks and sand bars. had read {
the .perils Of the deep but that night
experience fixed the scenes In my men
ory better than though had read OF
hundred storms.
Towards evening we were orders
below. rs the waves were beginning
sweep over the decks. and !. BEGAN
necessary TO close the matches; but
was no easy matter TO force LOT
frightened fellows like us down undo
two or three decks. and then be- locke
in. The result was that quite nun
her Of rs were allowed 10 stay on TO
Myself and few others crawled und
one Of the lifeboats that was lyiV
bottom up. near the stern, on the hu
ricanc deck, at which place we also hi
most Of our camp equipage stored. ~
staid there until quite dark. when
sudden lurch Of the ship loosened a
of our camp utensils and other truck ~
SENT THEM FLYING AROUND Us.
This fearful racket, together with {
vivid flashes of lightning. the thund
and rain, made me feel rs II our tin
had come.
crawled from under the boat
10 try and make out what the trout
was, but found il impossible to remH
ON the open deck. SO crcpt over TO
seat along the side rail. where lash
myself 10 the seat securely with SIN
rope got hold of; my head towal
the stern OF the vessel, n
afordlng an opportunity TO
what was going on ahead. IL "
now raining in torrents, but, althon
without shelter Of any description,
didn't mind Il. My greatest fear v
that of falling asleep during the nii
and being washed ocrboard.
From my position ] had line VI